Sermon Tone Analysis

We're going to get into the heart of who Jesus is in the book of Revelation- and in our lives- today.

And John is going to use heavy symbolism to describe him.

As we walk through this passage together, I'll identify these symbols for you so that you can get a clear picture of what Jesus is going to look like in this book.

And we're going to revisit the whole literal vs. figurative debate because as you'll see, attempting to read the symbols here how some would describe as "literally," the picture is pretty absurd.

Literal or figurative?

Briefly though, a note about the word, "literally".

What does it mean?

We all sort of have an idea of what it means, but it's hard to come up with a definition for it, isn't it?

So you'll hear the debate, and my interpretation is often accused of interpreting Revelation "too figuratively."

But my question, when that accusation is made, is, "what does 'literally' mean?"

About this idea, one of the foremost New Testament scholars, N.T. Wright, says this:

It is important to notice a key difference in meaning between one of the Reformer's central technical terms and the way in which the same word has been used in the modern period.

When the Reformers insisted on the "literal" sense of scripture, they were referring to the first of the four medieval senses.

Though, as we saw, this would often refer to the historical meaning and referent of scripture (when scripture says that Solomon's men built the Temple, for example, the literal sense is that Solomon's men built the Temple), the "literal" sense actually means "the sense of the letter"; and if the "letter" –the actual words used by the original authors or editors– is metaphorical, so be it.

N.T. Wright, The Last Word, p. 73.

In other words, if John intends something to be interpreted as a symbol, the literal interpretation is to interpret the symbol as it is intended.

The literal interpretation is the author's intended meaning.

-"You're driving me crazy."

-"I'm over the moon."

With that in mind, I want to look at Revelation 1:9-20 this morning and peel back the layers of symbolism that John is employing here to show us who Jesus is.

So after reading that, should we take it at face value?

Did Jesus really appear to John with a literal sword sticking out of his mouth?

If he did, how did Jesus say anything?

Do you see the problem with interpreting it this way?

I'll call this "literalistic interpretation."

If we try to force that, we lose the beauty of what John is describing here.

So what's going on here, and how does it affect our lives (again following the Bible study method of what does it say, what does it mean, how does it apply)?

Let's look at the symbols here and break them down one at a time to see if we can't piece this together for our lives today:

Now this is all pretty straightforward here.

The Lord's Day is, of course, Sunday, because Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday.

John is exiled to Patmos, an island commonly used for exile.

There are two kinds of exile that were used by the Roman empire:

Two Types of Exile in Rome

deportatio includes the confiscation of property and the removal of civil rights and could only be declared by the emperor.

relegatio includes the simple exile usually to an island in the Mediterranean Sea without the removal of civil rights or property and could be declared by any provincial governor.

deportatio (including confiscation of property and removal of civil rights) and relegatio (without such penalties); only the emperor could declare the former, but a provincial governor could declare the latter, as [in John's case].

(Keener, IVP BBG, Rev. 1:9)

So this is what's going on here: John has been exiled, but still maintains his rights.

He's still able to send letters and own property.

I do want to point out that John mentions that he is the partner in suffering of the churches to which he writes.

This is the same word that will be used later to describe what people refer to as "the Great Tribulation".

John says that he's a partner in it.

It's the word θλῖψις (thlipsis) and is used 5 times in Revelation (Rev.

1:9, 2:9, 10, 22, 7:14), 4 of those times, talking about Christians experiencing it.

The message to the church here is that we should expect attacks from the enemy.

If we are Christ-followers, we will be attacked.

And that will take a couple of forms:

1. Overt persecution

2. Cultural seduction

And we'll see this in the letters addressing the seven churches specifically.

And John says that this persecution demands patient endurance.

John is borrowing elements of Daniel's description of the Son of Man and from Ezekiel and from Exodus here.

The point of all of these symbols is to point to Jesus as the one supreme over all creation.

Over life, over death.

Royal.

Powerful.

Authoritative.

And even though he is powerful and authoritative and royal, he is walking among his churches.

He is here in Colony Christian church.

We are not too small or insignificant for his gaze and his personal attention.

He sees when we're faithful.

He sees when we're not.

He cares about this church.

He walks in it.

The trumpet, specifically, I want to look at Ex. 19:16

This is in the Old Testament frequently how God's proclamations come.

With power and authority.

It's not quiet or demure.

He isn't tricky.

He makes sure his people hear his message.

I want to break down with you the sword, because this is fascinating and helpful.

How does the New Testament use this symbol?

What's a two edged sword in the New Testament?

Do you see what John is doing?

He's not saying Jesus literally appeared with a sword protruding from his mouth, but that he is so powerful and authoritative that when he speaks, it's the voice of God.

He speaks with the power of God.

And I don't think that John would be upset if we read back into this his words in John 1:1 back into Genesis 1:1.

Every time Genesis says, "and God said," that's Jesus doing the work.

Executing with authority that which the Father desires.

This is common.

People see the glory of God, and they fall at his feet.

Isaiah experienced this, as did Daniel.

Remember Isaiah 6?

And Jesus' response is "Do not be afraid".

Why?

Because he is.

Literally, ego eimi.

Do not fear because he is always in the present tense.

He is equating himself in terms of authority and power with the Father.

And in case we miss that, he says "I am the First and the Last, the Living one."

The first= the one who was

The last= the one who is to come

The living one= the one who is

And Jesus says he has the keys of Death and Hades.

If you have the key of something, you have authority over it.

Jesus has conquered death for us, so John's premise is that we do not need to be afraid if people kill us for following Jesus, because Jesus will raise us to life.

Do not be afraid.

In the New Testament, I want you to know that the word "mystery" is not something unknown.

It is something that has either already been revealed or is being revealed in the speaker speaking.

It's not like we think about mysterious today.